Athens, Attica, Greece – On Monday, January 5, 2026, the Athens Municipal Council held its 1st Special Session, during which Despina Limniotaki was elected as the new President of the Council. The election followed a proposal from the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and received broad support from the council members.
New Leadership for the Athens Municipal Council
The election of Ms. Limniotaki marks a significant development in the leadership of the Athens Municipality. Mayor Haris Doukas, who took office on January 1, 2024 [wikipedia.org](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%94%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%82_%CE%91%CE%B8%CE%B7%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%AF%CF%89%CE%BD#:~:text=Από την 1η Ιανουαρίου 2024, δήμαρχος Αθηναίων είναι ο Χάρης Δούκας.), put forward her nomination, which was met with a wide majority vote, underscoring a unified front within the council for the upcoming term. This move is consistent with Mayor Doukas’ stated commitment to utilizing all elected officials to enhance the municipality’s dynamism and effectiveness. He previously emphasized that “no one is permanent in their position, everyone is utilized, and also judged on the performance of the work they undertake” [ertnews.gr](https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/neoi-antidimarxoi-kai-entetalmenoi-dimotikoi-symvouloi-ston-dimo-athinaion-ola-ta-onomata/).
Mayor Doukas’ Vision for Athens
Mayor Doukas has been actively reshaping the municipal administration. In late 2025, he announced a reshuffle of deputy mayors and appointed municipal councilors for 2026, highlighting a strategy of rotation and performance-based assessment. This included new appointments such as Olga Dourou as Deputy Mayor of Cleanliness and Recycling, and George Apostolopoulos as Deputy Mayor of Environment and Green Spaces [protothema.gr](https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1751026/anashimatismos-ston-dimo-athinaion-kaneis-monimos-sti-thesi-tou-oloi-axiologoudai-eipe-o-haris-doukas/). These changes reflect a proactive approach to addressing the city’s needs and implementing programmatic commitments.
Responsibilities of the New President
As President of the Municipal Council, Ms. Limniotaki will play a crucial role in guiding the council’s agenda and facilitating its operations. Her responsibilities will include presiding over council meetings, ensuring adherence to procedures, and representing the council in various capacities. The Municipality of Athens has extended its best wishes to the new President for a successful tenure.
The election of Ms. Limniotaki is part of a broader effort by the current municipal administration to streamline governance and enhance public services in Athens. The Mayor’s office continues to focus on key areas such as cleanliness, environmental protection, financial planning, and urban regeneration, as evidenced by the recent appointments of deputy mayors for these portfolios.
The Municipal Council is expected to elect its new president and receive the Mayor’s proposal for the composition of the new Boards of Directors of the municipality’s Organizations and Companies in its next session.
Source: [94fm.gr](https://94fm.gr/nea-proedros-toy-d-s-athinaion-i-despoina-limniotaki/)
